Method and apparatus for producing tubular fabric



M. A. GOLDMAN v June 17, 1947. 2,422,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed 0 1;, 14, 1943 7Sheets-Sheet 1 7 snets-sneet 2 M. A. 'GOLDMAN Filed Oct. 14, 1943 METHODAND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC June 17, 1947.

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mm" MW aw June 17, I947 AGQLDMAN 2,422,234

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABliIC Filed 001:. 14, v1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 17, 1947. M. A. GOLDMAN 2,422,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC w m I1 "*1 if"?! 18'i.v 43 ///,V p 12? 1/ 135 2% 8/ w F4 5 June 17, 1947. M, A. GOLDMAN2,422,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed 001:. 14, 1943 7Sheets-Sheet 5 I June 17', 1947. M, GQLDMAN 2,422,234

METHOD AND APPARATUS Fok PRODUCING TUBULAR FABRIC Filed 001;. 14} 1943-7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I III,

June 17, 1947. GQLDMANY 2,422,234

METHOD ND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TUBUL R FABRIC 7 Sheets Sheet 7 FiledOct. 14, 1943 Patented June 17, 1947 METHOD AND PARATUS FOR rnonucmTUBULAR FABRIC Maurice A. Goldman, New Brunswick, N. J., assignor toFibre Products Laboratories, Inc., New Brunswick, N. J a corporation ofNew Jersey Application October 14, 1943, Serlal'No. 506,235

23 Claims. I 1

The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for producingtubular fabric adapted for various uses} and more particularly toprovide porous vaxially'- corripressil'rl'ecores or tubes for supporting'dye i-do :tiior fexample, cop-I tubes of the type illustratedand'describe'd' in my prior copending application for United StatesLetters Patent Serial No. 443,155, filed May 15, 1942, entitled Cop-tubeor yam-support, now Patent No.'2,336,086, dated December 7, 1943.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method ofand apparatus for producing a tubular fabric having crossing strands offibrous material bonded together at their intersections. I I

Another object is to provide a method of and apparatus for producing aself-supporting tubular fabric from flexible textile material.

Another object is to provide a method of and apparatus for bonding thecrossing strands by impregnating one or more of the strands with aplastic. I I I Another object is to provide a method of and apparatusfor producing a self-supporting tubular fabric by impregnating one ofthe crossing strands with a plastic and treating the plastic to make theimpregnated strand relatively rigid and resistant to deformation.

Another object is to provide a method of and apparatus for producing atubular fabric of the type indicated by supporting a. plurality ofstrands of textile material spaced around a common axis,

winding a strip impregnated with a plastic aboutv the plurality ofstrands and treating the plastic to cause it to bond the strip to thestrands at their intersections and render the impregnated striprelatively rigid and resistant to collapse or deformation.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated withmeans for curing and setting the plastic after the strands are arrangedin crossing relationship on the mandrel.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated withmeans for advancing the fabric along the mandrel and feeding it off froml the end thereof. 7

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated withmeans for controlling the pitch of the coils of the helically-woundfilling strip.

Another object is to t the type indicated 'whichisadapted to operate athigh speed to continuously produce tubular fabric. v

- Anotherobject'i's to-provide'an apparatus of the I type indicatedwith-means for severing predetermined lengths of 'the tubular fabrictoprovide cores or tubes for yarn.

Another object is to in operation, and adapted for use over long periodsof time'witho'ut repair or replacement of its parts. 4

Further objects ofthe inventionare set forth in l I the followingspecification which describes the. methodof producing the fabric and apreferred form of constructionof the apparatus, by way of example, asillustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the main elements of t an apparatusincorporating the novel features of the present invention and showing aplurality of warp strands as being fed lengthwise of a cylin dricalmandrel with a filling strip being wound helically about the warpstrands;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view looking in the direction indicated bythe arrow 2 in Fig. 1 and showing the means for feeding the fillingstrip and treating it with a plastic;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus showing the commondriving means for the man- 'drel and the plurality of feeding heads foradvancing the fabric and controlling the pitch of v the coils of thehelically-wound filling strip;

Fig, 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the forward portionofthe first feeding head showing two of a plurality of feeding units inthe head and illustrating each' unit as comprising a pair oflongitudinally-spaced feed-wheels for engaging the coils of thehelically-wound filling strip;

Fig. 4-a is an enlarged view of the rearward portion. of the firstfeeding head showing the change-gear transmission adapted for varyingthe speed of rotation of the feed-wheels of the plurality of units; I I

' Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view on line 55 of Fig. 4 showing thetransmission gearing employed with each head or unit for simultaneouslyrotating the feed-wheelsof the pairs at different speeds; I

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 4 showing thearrangement of the forward feed-wheels of the head which surround themandrel;

Fig. '1 is a transverse sectional view on line I-l of Fig. 4 showing therearward feed-wheels of the head and their mounting in the head;

provide an apparatus of supporting dye-cops of textile 3 Fig, 8 is anend view of one of the feeding heads showing the change-geartransmission for rotating the feed-wheels at maximum speed;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the change-gears arranged forrotating the feedwheels at an intermediate speed and indicating themanner in which the gears may be adjusted to drive the feed-wheels atslow speed;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the rearward end of the apparatusshowing the means for in- 3 termittently severing predetermined lengthsof material in crossing relationship around a com- I I mon axis andbonding the crossing strands at their intersections to produce acontinuous tubular fabric. The step of arranging the plurality ofstrands in crossing relationship may be accomplished by winding thestrands helically in opposite directions circumferentlally of a fixedmandrel or by feeding eithera single filling strip warp strandsextending lengthwise of the periphery of a rotating mandrel. Preferablya plurality of warp strands are guided to extend longitudinally inspaced, parallel relationship surrounding the periphery of the mandreland a single filling strip of the material is wound helically about thewarp strands to cause it to cross them at a predetermined angle. Byvarying the pitch' of the helical coils ofthe winding strip or bychanging the direction in which the warp strands are guided along theperiphery of the mandrel any desired angle of the crossing strands maybe obtained. l 7

While any suitable material may be used for the warp strands and fillingstrip, with the particular tubular fabric herein illustrated anddescribed both the strands and the strip preferably are composed oftextile material. The warp strands may comprise roving of textilematerial such as cotton having a slack-twistto give it the necessarystrength. Other fibrous materials may be used, however, and the methodof the present invention further contemplates the use of warp strands inthe form of a knitted, braided or woven sleeve or stockinette aboutwhich the filling strip is wound. The filling strip may be either in theform of a sliver or slack-twist roving of textile material such ascotton to render it extremely permeable by a plastic in a liquid state,yet provide the necessary strength to adapt it to be wound about thewarp strands.

The filling strip preferably is impregnated and coated with a resin orplastic before it is wound about the warp strands on the mandrel. Whenthe strip is in the form of a sliver it is twisted after impregnationand wound on a take-oil spool while wet. The impregnated and twistedsliver is thereafter immersed in a bath of the plastic as it feedstoward the mandrel. Preferably, the filling strip is in the form of aslack- 'twist roving and it maybe given several immersion in the plasticto insure thorough impregnation. It is to be understood, however, that'or a plurality of strips around a plurality of the strip may becomposed of. other materials besides textiles or composed of other typesof filaments such as flax, hemp, or synthetic materials such as rayon ornylon and may have any degree of'twist so long as it is capable of beingreadily impregnated with a plastic. The

plastic may be of any hard setting type capable of being treated tocause it to set rapidly. A phenol formaldehyde resin, known by the tradename Bakelite, in a water phase is particularly well adapted for suchuse as it may be caused to set by merely extracting the water. Thesetting of the plastic may be accelerated by any suitable treatment suchas passing it through a drying oven or ovens when Bakelite in a waterphase is used. Preferably, the strip of slack-" twist cotton roving isimmersed in successive baths of liquid Bakelite or a similar plastic andthen passed through a preheatingoven to render the plastic sticky ortacky before it is wound about the warp threads.

As .the impregnated strip is wound helically about the warp strandsextending longitudinally of the mandrel the tacky plastic migrates tothe warp strands at the intersections to assist in the I bonding actionat the intersections.

The warp strands and filling strip are continuously advanced along themandrel and passed through drying ovens to cause the plastic to cureand. set whereby to bond the strip to the strands at theirintersections, thus forming a tubular fabric. .The setting of theplastic also makes the helical filling strand relatively rigid andresistant to deformation and radial compression. During the winding ofthe strip and the setting of the pies.

tic to produce the tubular fabric the latter is continuously advancedand the rate of advance is positively controlled to maintain apredetermined constant pitch between the coils of the helical strip inthe finished article.

The tubular fabric of crossing strands bonded together at theirintersections may be slit longitudinally and folded flat for any use towhich such sheet fabrics are commonly used; for example, as the mat orbase for'linoleum, or for bags, screens, wall-lath, camouflage and thelike. In the specific embodiment of the invention as herein illustratedand described the method is directed more particularly to the productionofporous,

self-supporting and axially-compressible tubes or cores such asillustrated in my copending application for letters patent for Cop-tubeor yarnsupport. referred to above. In accordance with the presentmethod, sections of the fabric of.

proper length for utilization as cop-tubes are severed from thecontinuous tubular, fabric as it is fled ofi from the rearward end ofthe mandre When yarn is to be dyed by the Franklin process, so called,the material is wound upon a sleeve or stockinette of fabric supportedby an axiallycompressible metal core or spring to provide a porou copor'package. A plurality of such dyecops are mounted in series on asupporting stringer and compressed axially so that the ends of adjacentcops abut and the yarn throughout the 4 length of the stringer will havesubstantially the same density and permeability. Several stringers aremounted in a suitable kie'r or vat and the dyeliquor or other treatingfluid is circulated radially through the yarn. either outwardly from thestringer to the kier or inwardly from the kier to the stringer. Such adye-cop and method of dyeing are illustrated and described in UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 996,761, to J. C. Hebden et al., issued July4, 1911. The metal cores or helical springs used in the Franklin processof dyeing are expensive, usually being constructed of stainless steel toresist oxidation and prevent discoloration of the yarn. After being dyedthe yarn is generally rewound on a paper or other as they are drawn oiffrom the spools 22. The

inexpensive core for shipping, or in some cases,

the dyed packages may be shipped on the metal cores and the latterreturned to the dye house after the yarn has been unwound therefrom. Dueto the weight and bulk of the metal cores, however, the cost oftransportation of the dyed yarn and the expense of returning the tubesusually exceeds the cost of rewinding the yarn and this type of core hasother disadvantages, for example loss of its use during trans-shipment.

Cores or tubes made in accordance with the present invention willperform all the functions of the metal spring cores heretofore used inthe art and may be manufactured at low cost so that they may bediscarded after a single use ifdesired. Usually the cost of the coresmade by the method and apparatus of the present invention is less thanthe cost of rewinding the yarn, or the cost of transportation and returnof themetal cores to the dye-house. For these reasons the coptubes ofthe present invention are more economical to use than the metal cores,eliminating the expense of rewinding the yarn or trans-shipping themetal cores with the extra handling involved. The present drawingsillustrate a preferred form of apparatus for carrying out the steps ofthe method. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the apparatus comprises ahorizontal mandrel 2 having a floating support in heads 3, 4 and 5mounted on the upper ends of pedestals 6. The rearward end of themandrel 2 projects into the open end of a slotted frame 1 and itsforward end extends beyond the head 5. Ribs 8 on the frame 1 projectinto slots 9 in the end of the mandrel'2 with their ends serving as keysto connect the mandrel and frame for rotationas a unit, see Fig. 11. Ashaft I0 is fixedly attached to the end, of the frame I opposite fromthe mandrel 2, being journaled in spaced bearings supported at the upperend of a pedestal l2. Mounted fast on the shaft I 0 between the bearingsis a sprocketwheel |3 which is driven from a drive-shaft 4 by a chainl5. The drive-shaft I4 is journaled in bearings in the pedestals 6 andI2 below the mandrel 2 and extends parallel thereto throughout theentire length of the latter. The driveshaft I4 is driven by a suitableprime mover l6, herein illustrated as an electric motor, through areduction gearing unit I! and a chain I8 connecting sprockets l9 and 20on the unit and shaft, respectively. The axially-alined mandrel 2, frameI and shaft l0 thus are adapted to be continuously rotated as a .unit bythe electric motor l5.

Mounted to rotate in the slotted frame 1 are suitable spools 22, eachcarrying a plurality of strands S of fibrous material such asslack-twist roving wound thereon. To facilitate replenishment of thestrands S the spools 22 are mounted to rotate on a removable spindle 23extending between the sides of the frame I. The strands S are hereinconsidered as in the nature of warp ends, being adapted to be drawn oilfrom the spools 22 between the ribs 8 of the frame 1 to extendlongitudinally in spaced relationship around the periphery of themandrel 2. Preferably, the strands S are guided between the teeth of asuitable circular comb 24, see Figs. 3 and 11, to position them inspaced parallel relationship 'the mandrel.

longitudinally f the mandrel 2 intervening bestrands S may feed inparallel relationship helically around the periphery of the mandrel 2 atany desired angle of lead, but in the embodiment of the invention asherein illustrated they are guided to feed in parallel relation to theaxis of In either case the strands extend tween its periphery and theheads 3, 4 and 5, later to be described in detail.

Adjacent one side of the mandrel 2 means are provided for feeding astrip T of fibrous material, such as cotton sliver or roving, to causeit to be coiled about thewarp strands S as the mandrel 2 rotates, seeFig; 1. As explained above, a cotton sliver may be impregnated with theplastic and thereafter twisted and wound on a supply spool 21 while wet.In the preferred form of construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, thestrip T in the form of a slack-twist roving is wound on the spool 21 andimpregnated and coated with the plastic as it feeds therefrom to themandrel 2. The spool 21 is mounted to rotate in a suitable frame 28 andthe strip T is drawn off from the spool and directed by suitable guides29, 30 and 3| through a trough 34 containing the liquid resin or plasticto cause it to be impregnated therewith as it is fed between suitablenip-rolls 35. The strip T may be immersed as many times as is necessaryto thoroughly impregnate it with the plastic and, as illustrated in Fig.2, the strip is directed by similar guides 29, 30 and 3| to cause it tobe immersed successively in the plastic in two additional troughs 36 and31 and to be squeezed between the nip-rolls 3-8 and 39 to remove surplusplastic therefrom.

The impregnated strip T then is guided to a reel 4| to wind a pluralityof turns of the material thereon and from the reel the strip is guidedto the periphery of the mandrel 2. The reel 4| is carried by an axialshaft 42 mounted to rotate in spaced bearings 43, being enclosed in anoven 44 having an electrical heating unit 4 5 of suitrotated by anysuitable driving means to advance the strip T at a linear'speedproportionate to the peripheral speed of the mandrel 2. As illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2, the reel-shaft 42 has a wormwheel 48 mounted fastthereon which meshes with a worm 49 on a shaft 50 driven from thedrive-shaft I4 by bevel gearing shown at 5| in Fig. 2. A pulley 52 atthe opposite end of the reel-shaft 42 drives a belt 53 which, in turn,drives pulleys 54 on the drive-shafts for the several sets of nip-rolls35, 38 and 39. Between the pulleys 54 of the adjacent sets of nip-rolls35, 38 and 39 idler pulleys 55 are provided. The belt 53 is also guidedby a pulley 56 and-a spring-pressed idler-pulley 51. It will be apparentthat with the proper ratio between the worm-wheel and worm 48, 49 andpulleys 52, 54 the reel 4| and nip-rolls 35, 38, 39 can be driven at therequired rate of speed to feed the strip T at a linear speedcorresponding to the peripheral speed of the mandrel 2.

/ moisture therefrom.

of the mandrel 2 at a predetermined controlled rate of speed so that thefllling strip is coiled about the warp strands in a continuous helix.

Between the heads 3, 4 and are drying ovens- 58 and 59 of any suitabletype which act to accelerate the curing and setting of the plasticcarried by the impregnated strip by evaporating the The operatingmechanism in each of the heads 3, 4 and 5 is adapted to engage andpositively advance the coils of the strip T as they are wound about thewarp strands S and the operating means in the different heads cooperateto maintain the coils compressed in an axial direction between the heads3 and 4 while the plastic is being cured, and finally to extend or morewidely space them between the heads 4 and 5'while the plastic is beingset. All the heads 3, 4 and 5 are of similar construction, eachcomprising a stationary annular housing 68 and a rotatable element 6|mounted therein surrounding the mandrel 2, see Figs. 4, 4-0 and 6. Thestation-- ary housing 68' may comprise annular sections 64, 65 and 66connected by screws 61 and 68 and the section '68 has a reduced tubularextension 69 and a depending base 18 which seats on andis secured to thetop of its respective pedestal 6.

The rotatable element 6I is in the form of a sleeve mounted for rotationon spaced roller bearings 1I and 12 in the tubular extension 59 of thehousing 68 with a radial flange or disk 13 at its inner end for rotationin th housing proper. The inner race of the roller bearing 1I seatsagainst an annular shoulder 16 on the I sleeve of the rotatable element6i and the outer tween their inner and outer races. The sleeve portionof the rotatable element 6| projects outwardly beyond the tubularextension 69 of the housin 68 and mounts a sprocket-wheel 8i and gear82. The sprocket 8| and gear 82 are keyed and D are adapted to engagethe coils of the I strip T wound on the mandrel 2 to feed themlongitudinally thereof as the wheels rotate. The

pitch or distance between adjacent teeth 92 on the wheels 88 correspondsto the pitch or distance between adjacent coils of the strip T as itwinds onto the mandrel 2 and by constructing each wheel in two sections.98and 9I each coil will be engaged at eight points spaced around theperiphery of the mandrel as shown in Fig. 6 to determine its positionthereon. Between the sections 98 and 9| of the feed-wheels 88 of eachunit A, B, C and D is a spur-gear 93, of less diameter than that of thewheel and the wheelsections and gear are connected by pins 94 and screws95, see Fig. '7, to cause them to rotate unit A, B, .C and D is mountedto rotate on a pin or shaft 96 extending between the sides of asaunit.The wheel 88 and gear 93 assembly of each atits outer end overlying theend thereof, see

or otherwise secured to the sleeve portion of the rotatable element BIand are held against axial movement thereon by a ring 83 attached to theend of the sleeve with the hub of the sprocket abutting the end of theinner race of the bearing 12. A chain 84 connects the sprocket 8| with asprocket 85 on the drive-shaft I4, see Fig. 3, to continuously drive therotatable element Si in synchronism with the mandrel 2.

Enclosed within the head 3 are a plurality of feed units A, B, C and Dmounted on the radial flange 13 0f the rotatable element 6| in angularspaced relationship around the periphery of the mandrel 2, see Fig. 6.Eachfeed'unit A, B, C and D comprises a pair of feed-wheels 89 and 89,see Fig. 4, arranged with their axes spaced longitudinally of themandrel 2 and adapted for lindrical periphery of the mandrel 2. Theteeth Figs. 4 and 5. The brackets 91 and'98 are attached to the flange13 by means of screws IM and I82.

the brackets 91 and 98, thus acting as a brace therebetween. The outerfree ends of the brackets 91 and 98 of the plurality of units A, B, Cand D are preferably connected to a ring I by means of screws I86, seeFig. 4, to reenforce the structure. 7

As shown in detail in Fig. 7, the pin or shaft 96 mounting thefeed-wheel 88 and ar 93 assembly extends through bushings I88 and I89mounted in elongate slots H8 in the brackets 91 and 98, the bushingsbeing urged to slide in a direction toward-the center of the head 3under The spring III for each bushing I88-or I89 surrounds the thecompression-of coil springs III.

on the threaded portion of the screw II2 to adjust the tension of thespring I I I andthen locked in adjusted position by a locknut I I4.

The feed-wheel 88 of. each unit A, B, C and D u is driven by a gear ,II8, see Figs. 4 and 7, mounted to rotate on a pin or shaft II9 extendingbetween the spaced brackets 91 and 98 in parallel relation to the shaft96. The shaft I I9 extends through bushings I28 and I2I mounted to slidein slots I22 in the brackets 91 and 98. Straps I23 and I24 at the outersides of the brackets 91 and 98; see Figs. 4 and '7, connect the ends ofthe shafts 95 and I I9 to adapt the wheel 88 and gears 93 and H8 formovement as a unit radially of the head 3. As shown in Fig. 7 the shafts96 and H9 are held against axial movement by cotter pins I25 extendingthrough their ends and the.

bushings I88, I89 and I28, I2I are held in their spaced relation to thesides of the wheel 88 and gear H8 by collars I26. As shown in Figs. 4and 5 the gear H8 is driven by a gear I21 keyed to a shaft I28 Joumaledin the bearings in the v Preferably, a spacing tie-rod I83 extendingbetween the wheels -88and' 89 connects .the brackets are concentric tothe axis of the shaft to permit the gear II8 to swing around the gearI21 when the wheel 88 moves radially toward or away from the peripheryof the mandrel 8.

The feed-wheel 89 of each unit A,B, C and D also is of two-partconstruction and mounts a gear I38 between its sections similar to thewheel 88. The feed-wheel 89 is provided with more teeth Isl onitsperiphery than the wheel "to compensate for a reduction in pitchbetween its teeth corresponding to the reduced pitch of the coils of thestrip T between the wheels 88 and 88, see Fig. 4. Each wheel 89 Ismounted to rotate on a shaft I32 extending between the spaced brackets88 and 98. The gear I38 is driven through a compound gear I83 mounted ona shaft I38 and the shafts I32 and I34 are connected by straps I35 formovement as a unit in slots I88 and I 31 in the brackets 91 and 98 underthe action oi springs III which are arranged to operate in the manner aspreviously described with reference to the wheel 88. Compound gear I88is driven from a gear I38 keyed to the shaft I28 at the side of the gearI21, see Figs. and 6. through the gears I39 and I48 to drive thefeedwheel 88 at a slower rate of speed than that of the wheel 88. Thegears I39 and I48 are mounted on shafts MI and I42 extending between thespaced brackets 91 and 98 and the arrangement is such that change-gearsmay be substituted in the train to drive the feed-wheel 89 at anydesired speed ratio with respect to the wheel 88 corresponding to thenumber of teeth I80 and 92 on the respective wheels. As illustrated inFig. 5, collars I88 fast on the shaft I 28 and shafts MI and I82 holdthem against axial movement in the brackets 91.and 98.

Mounted for rotation in the housing 88 of the head 8 is a ring-gear I 48having external spurteeth I88 and internal worm-teeth I45, see Figs. 4and 6. The worm-teeth I45 of the ring-gear I88 mesh with the teeth ofthe gears I21 of the several units A, B, C and D. It will be noted thatthe gears I21 of the plurality of units A, B, C and D mesh with theworm-teeth I45 at points spaced 98 apart so that each tooth 92 and I8Ion the feed-wheels 88 and 89 driven from the gears I21 will be inadvance of the corresponding tooth on the preceding feed-wheel adistance equal to a quarter of the pitch between teeth due to theincreasing lead of the worm whereby the teeth on the wheels will engageeach coil in the helix of the strip T. Attached to the opposite sides ofthe ring-gear I44 are bifurcated brackets I41 mounting anti-frictionrollers I48, see.

Figs. 4 and 6. The rollers I48 bear against annular shoulders I49 andI58 on the housing 88 at opposite sides of the ring-gear I44 to restrainthe latter from lateral displacement. Also car- 10 to the shaft I84adjacent its opposite end is a sleeve I89 formed with 'a grooved collarIN and carrying a clutch-member I88 keyed to the sleeve. A shifting forkI82 is mounted fast on a rock-shaft I83 which also carries a hand-leverI84 fast thereon. Theshifting fork I82 is slotted at its ends forengaging'trunnions I12 projecting from the side of a ring I13 in thegroove of the collar I8I, see Fig. 8. Loosely mounted on the shaft I84adjacent the sleeve I59 is a driving member I88, see Fig. 4-41, formedwith a conical clutchface I88 for cooperation with the clutch-member I88on the sleeve and carrying asprocket-wheel I81. The driving member I85is adapted to be driven continuously from an auxiliary motor I88, seeFig. 3, by a chain I89 connecting its sprocketwheel I81 to asprocket-wheel I18 on the motor shaft. The driving member I85 and sleeveI59 are normally held in axially-spaced relationship by a spring I1 I,shown in Fig. 4-0., but the sleeve may he slid axially by the shiftingfork I 82 to engage the clutch-member I88 with the driving member. Suchengagement of the clutch elements is for the purpose of rotating theringgear I44 and driving the feed-wheels 88 and 89 under manual controlwhile the rotating element M of the head 3 is idle during the initialoperation of advancing the coils of the filling strip to feed the warpstrands into the head.

A gear I14 keyed to the sleeve I59 meshes with a compound gear I15, seeFigs. 4-01. and 8, mounted to rotate on a stud I18 projecting from thebase 18 of the housing 88. Mounted to rock on the stud I18 is a pair oftriangularly-shaped plates I11 and I18 carrying a stud I19 for mountinga compound gear I88 therebetween. One

, element of the compound gear I88 meshes with ried by the ring-gear I44are anti-friction rollers Mounted on the forward end. of the shaft I54isa gear I58 having teeth in mesh with the externalspur-teeth I 88 onthe ring-gear I44. Splined the gear I15. The plates "1- and I18 carry astud I8I mounting a reversing gear I82. As illustrated in Fig. 8, theplates I11 and I18 are provided with alined holes I84. I and I88 whichoverlie quadrants I81. having tapped holes I88, I89 and I98. Screws I9Iare adapted to be inserted in the holes I84, I85 and I88 and screwedinto any one of the three tapped holes I88, I89 and I98 to lock therockable plates I11 and I18 in any one of three positions of adjustment.When the rockable plates I11 and I18 are locked in the neutral orinoperative position illustrated by full lines in Fig. 9 by insertingscrews I9I through the holes I84, I85 and I-88 in the plates andscrewing them into the intermediate holes I89 in the quadrants I 81, theshaft I54 is disconnected from any driving means. Preferably, the shaftI54 is positively locked against rotation when the plates I11 and I18are adjusted to neutral position by meansof a member I92 havinggear-teeth engageable with the teeth on one element of the compound gearI88 and clamped in fixed position by a screw I93 whereby to hold thering-gear I44 against rotation, see Fig. 9.

By removing the screwsv I9I and rocking the plates I11 and I18 incounterclockwise direction to the position illustrated in Fig. 8 oneelement of the compound gear I88 is brought into meshing engagement withthe gear 82' on the sleeve of the rotatable element 8| of the head 3,see Fig. 4-11. The ring-gear I44 will then be rotated by the shaft I54to give an added increment of rotative movement to the feed-wheels 88and 89.

When the plates I11 and I18 are rocked in clockwise direction to theposition indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 9 the gear I82 isbrought into meshin engagement wtih the gear l l 82 on the sleeve of-therotatable element 6I The shaft I54 and ring-gear I44 then will berotated.

in the opposite direction from that with the previously-des'cribedarrangement whereby to cause the feed-wheels 88 and 89 to be rotatedwith a reduced increment of movement. It will be understood that gearsI15 and I80 are adapted to bechanged for others of different size togive any particular speed ratio desired.

The head 4 is of a construction identical with ,that described withreference to the head 3 but arranged in reversed relationship so thatthe feedwheels 89 of each unit A, B, C and D first will engage the-coilsof the helically-wound strip T to feed them into the head and thefeed-wheels 88 will engage the coils to feed them out from the head soas to maintain the coils in extended relationship on the mandrel 2 whilethe plastic is becoming hardened or set, see Fig. 12.

The head 5 has the same construction and arrangement of parts as thehead 4 except that each of the several units A, B, C and D is providedwith the feed-wheels 88 alone. Conse-- quently, the coils of the strip Tare maintained in their extended relationship by the feed-wheels as fromthe time they leave the head .4 until they are discharged from therearward end of the mandrel 2.

, As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 10, a reciprocating cutter 200 isprovided at the rearward end of the mandrel 2 for severing units ofpredetermined length from the continuous tubular fabric as it is fedfrom the mandrel 2, The cutter 200 may be of any suitable type, and isherein illustrated pending through a suitable slot in the table, see

Fig. 10. The carriage 203 is adapted to be actuated in timed relation tothe rotation of the mandrel 2 by a lever 2I I pivoted intermediate itsends and having a fork 2I2 at one end engaging a pin 2I3 in thedepending lug H0. The opposite end of the lever 2II carries a follower2| 4 engaging the periphery of a cam 2I6 having a lobe 2H and adwell-portion 2I8 each of which extends through approximately 180of itscircumference. A spring 2 I 9 connected between the lever 2| I and table209 acts to slide the carriage in one direction and maintain thefollower 2I4 in engagement with the periphery of the cam 2 I6.

The cam 2I6 is mounted .fast on a shaft 220 which is driven from thedrive-shaft I4 through reduction gearing to actuate the carriage 203 inl the proper timed relation to the rotation of the mandrel 2. Thereduction gearing comprises intermeshing bevel gears 222 and 223 on thedriveshaft I4 and a. shaft 224 suitably journaled in a bearing on thetable 209. A worm 225 on the shaft 224 meshes with a worm-wheel 226mounted on the cam-shaft 220 to continuously rotate the cam 2I6 at arelatively slow rate of speed. One embodiment of the apparatus havingbeen described in detail its mode of operation is explained as follows:

the teeth of the circular-"comb or guide, 24, see

Fig. 11-, and then drawn forwardly between the ribs 0 to extend alongthe periphery of the mandrel 2. The filling strip T is drawn off fromthe supply spool 21, see Figs. 1 and 3, carried around.

the guides 29, 30 and 3|,and throughthe nip-rolls 35, 38 and 39 to causeit to feed through the liquid plastic in the successive troughs 34, 36and 31. Several turns of the strip T impregnated with the liquid plasticare then wound around the reel M and the end of the strip extendingtherefrom is attached to the strands S on the mandrel 2.

To initially feed the filling strip T through the heads 3, 4 and 5 themandrel 2 is turned manually to cause the strip to wind around the warpstrands S. Simultaneously the warp strands S are slid forwardly alongthemandrel to engage the first few coils ofthe filling strip T with theteeth 92 of the feed-wheels, of the units A, B, C and D in the head 3.After the leading coils of filling strip T are advanced to a position tobe engaged by the teeth 92 of the feed-wheels 88 the hand-lever I64 isactuated manually, see Fig. 4a, to rock the shifting fork I62 and slidethe sleeve I59 axially to engage its clutch-member I60 with theclutch-face I66 on-the driving member I65. The driving member I drivenby the motor I68 through the chain I69 then will rotate the sleeve l59and shaft I 54 splined thereto. The gear I58 at the end of .the shaftI54 in mesh with the spur-teeth I46 on the ring-gear I44 will rotate thelatter relatively of the feedunits A, B, C and D in the head 3, see Fig.4. Such rotation of the ring-gear I44 will cause the worm-teeth I45 onits interior to drive the gears I 21 of the units A, B, C and D in meshtherewith which, in turn, will drive the gears II8 and 93 to rotate thefeed-wheels 88., Upon rotation of the feed-wheels 88 their teeth 92 willengage the 2 leading coils of the strip T and advance them along themandrel 2 toward the feed-wheels 89.

The operation of winding the strip T around the warp-strands S iscontinued until the leading coils of the wound strip T are engaged bythe feed-wheels 89 in the head 3.

Preferably, the coils of filling strip T are compacted slightly orclosed together between the feed-wheels 88 and 89 by rotating the wheel88 ata faster rate than that of the wheel 89. This The apparatus isprepared for operation by the coils relatively ofthe warp'strands as thetubular fabric is delivered from the machine. Furthermore, the closingof the coils of the strip T and the undulation of the wrap strands Stend to loosen the coils on the mandrel 2 and increase the area ofcontact of the strip with the strands.

The feed-wheels 89 of the several-units A, B, C

' and I30 to advance the coils of the strip T along the mandrel 2. Thefeed-wheels 09 of the units A, B, C and D are driven at a slower rate ofspeed than the feed-wheels 88 but are provided .with a greater number ofteeth corresponding to at the same time cooperating to control theirspacing as indicated in Fig. 12.

The warp strands S and filling strip T will be 13 advanced along themandrel 2 and fed through the heads 4 and 5 in the manner explained withreference to the head 3. It will be noted that when the hand-lever I64is operated to shift the sleeve I59, as before explained, the gear I14on the sleeve will be moved therewith but not to a sufliclent extent todisengage it from the compound gear I15, see Figs. 4a and 8. Uponrelease of the hand-lever I64 at any of the heads 3, 4 and 5 the springI1| will automatically slide the sleeve I59 on the shaft I54 to releasethe clutch-face I66 from the clutch-member I66 on the driving memberI65. During the manual operation of starting the feeding action in theapparatus the feed-wheels 88 and 89 may be moved away from the peripheryof the mandrel 2, but

when released they will be pressed yieldingly to-- ward the mandrel bythe springs I I I. In the head 4, which is of reverse arrangement fromthat of the head 3, the coils of the filling strip T will be extended totheir original pitch or spacing between the feed-wheels 89 and 88 andthe feedwheels in the heads 4 and 5 thus will positively control thepitch of the coils to maintain them in their proper relationship.

After the warp strands S and filling strip T have been initially fedthrough the heads 3, 4 and 5 the gear-train'shown in Fig. 9 may beadjusted to one of its three'positions to cause the feedwheels 88 and 89of the units A, B, C and D to be driven at the proper speed. For thepurpose of illustration letit be assumed that the geartrain is adjustedto the position shown in Fig. 8. The plates I11 and I18 then will beheld in position by the screws I9I extending through the holes I84, I85and I86 and screwed into the tapped holes I88 of the fixed quadrantsI81. The gear I86 thus will be meshed with the gear 82 on the sleeve ofthe rotatable element 6| while the gear I is meshed with the gear I 14on the sleeve I59. The apparatus then is ready for automatic operation.

By means of suitable control mechanism the prime-mover I6 may beenergized and, operating through the reduction gearing unit I1 and thechain I8 and sprockets I9 and 26, the drive-shaft I4 will be rotatedtherefrom. The drive-shaft I4, in turn, will rotate the mandrel 2through the chain I5 and sprocket I3. Simultaneously the rotatingelements 6| in the heads 3, 4 and 5 will be driven from the shaft I4through the chains 84 and sprockets 8| and 85 to rotate in synchronismwith the mandrel 2.

Rotation of the mandrel 2 will cause the filling strip T to coil aboutthe warp strands S spaced around its periphery and the rotation of thedriveshaft I4 will be transmitted through the bevel gear unit 5|, shaft56, and Worm 49 and wheel 48,-see Fig. 2, to rotate the reel 4| at theproper speed to feed the strip to the mandrel. The pulley 52 at theopposite end of the reel-shaft 42 from the worm-wheel 48 will drive thebelt 53 which, in turn, will drive the pulleys 54 on the shafts for thenip-rolls 35, 38 and 39 in synchronism with the reel 4|. The strip Tthus will be drawn oil from the supply spool 21 and fed continuouslybythe nip-rolls 35, 38 and 39 and the reel 4| to avoid excessive strainthereon and thereby prevent rupture of the strand. During the feeding ofthe strip T it will' be directed by the series of guides 29, 36 and 3|to cause it to be immersed in the liquid plastic in the successivetroughs 34, 36 and 31 to be thoroughly impregnated with the plastic. Theimpregnated strip T is passed through the drying oven 44 as it strands.

14 I I winds on the reel 4| and a portion of moisture therein will beevaporated therefrom to render the plastic sticky or tacky. A portion ofthe tacky plastic on the strip T being wound around the warp strands Swill migrate to the latter at the intersections, thus tending to bondthe coils of the strip to the strands.

Simultaneously with the winding of the strip- T the warp strands S andpreviously-wound coils of the filling strip will be advancedlongitudinally of the mandrel 2 by the feed-wheels 88 on the rotatingelement 6| of the head 3. As the element 6| of the head. 3 rotates aboutits axis the units A, B, C and D will revolve therewith bodily insynchronism with the rotation of the mandrel 2. During the rotation ofthe units A, B, C and D the gears I21 meshing with the worm teeth I onthe interior of the ring-gear I44, see Figs. 4 and 6, will be rotated incounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, due to the relativemove-- ment between the gears I21 and the ring-gear I44, to therebyrotate the shafts I28 to which the 7 gears are splined. The rotation ofthe gears I21 will be transmitted through the gears H8 and 93 to rotatethe feed-wheels 88 of the units A, B, C and D, see Fig. 4, and the teeth92 on the wheels will advance the coils of the strip '1 along theperiphery of the mandrel 2. As the coils of the vstrip T are advancedthey will cause the warp strands S to undulate or gather therebetween inthe manner indicated in Fig. 12 to give a greater area of contact of thestrip with the strandsand prevent slippage of the strip with respect tothe Due to the slight expansion in the diameter of the coils of thefilling strip T due to their being closed together slightly, the stripand strands S will be prevented from binding on the mandrel 2 so as toslide freely therealong.

Rotation of the shafts I28 of the units A, B, C and D in the head 3 alsowill be transmitted through the gears I38, I39, I46, I33 and I36 torotate the feed-wheels 89 at a slower rate of speed than that of thegears 88. As before explained, the feed-wheels 89 of the units A, B, Cand D have a greater number of teeth I3I than the Wheels 88 so that theywill feed a many coils of the strip T out of the head 3 as are fed in bythe wheels 88, but the coils will have a lesser pitch or closerarrangement in the space between the wheels.

While the rotation of the units A, B, C and D has been explained asbeing relative to the ringgear I44 it will be understood that the latteris also driven when the gear-train is adjusted as shown in Fig. 8. Thecompound gear I86 will be driven by the gear 82 on the sleeve of therotatable element 6| of the head 3 and through the compound gear -I15will drive the gear I14 on the sleeve I59 splined tothe shaft I54. Thegear I58 at the end of the shaft I54 meshing with the spur-teeth I46 onthe ring-gear I44 will rotate the latter whereby to give an addedincrement of rotation to the feed-wheels 88 and 89 of the units A, B, Cand D. By removingthe screws I9! and rocking the plates I11 and I18 totheintermediate or neutral position shown in full lines in Fig. 9 thecompound gear I86 will be disconnected from the gear 82 on the sleeve'of the rotatable element 6|. The ring-gear I44 then will remainstationary to drive the feed-wheels 88 and 89 at an intermediate speed.With this adjustment of the gear-train as shown by full lines in Fig. 9,the gears are locked against turning by meshing the teeth on the memberI92 with the teeth of the gear I86 and tightening the screw I83. Byremoving the screws HI and rocking the plates I11 and I18 to theposition indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 9 the gear l82 will bebroughtinto meshing engagement with the gear 82 on the sleeve of therotatable element The gear 82 then will drive the gears I82, I80, I15

and I" to rotate the shaft I54 and ring-gear I44 in the oppositedirection from that first described to drive the feed-wheels l8 and .09of the units A, B, C and D with a reduced increment or at low speed.Thus, the change speed transmission gearing may be adjusted to cause thestrip T to wind around the warp strands S with three dif ferent degreesof pitch to regulate the spacing of the-coils.

As the warp strands S and filling strip T are advanced alongthe mandrel2 the coils of the strip are engaged and controlled by the feedwheels 88and 89 in the heads 4 and 5 in the manner as previously explained. Thecoils of the strip T will be expanded axially in the head 4 r to theiroriginal pitch distance and fed outwardly from the head 4 by thefeed-wheels 88. The headi is provided with the feed-wheels 88 only whichengage and control the feed of the coils of the strip T along themandrel 2 and cooperate to maintain the coils in their extendedrelationship.

l. i w w '7' 2l8 between-its lobe riage will be slid across the pathofthe tubular fabric at a relatively high rate of speed to quickly-severeach length from, the tubular fabric.

The follower 2 on the lever 2| I then will ride: onthe lobe 2l'I--of thecam 2l8 for a predetermined interval while another length of the tubularfabric is being fed from the mandrel 2. After the cam 2l8 has rotatedthroughout the length of the lobe 2" the spring 2! will rock the lever 2in clockwise direction to return the carriage 203to its originalposition, during which movement the cutter 202 will sever another lengthfrom the tubular fabric. Thus the cam M8 and spring 2I8 are caused tooperate the lever 2| land carriage 203 alternately in oppositedirections in timed relation to the rotation of the mandrel 2 to causethe knife 200 to sever predetermined lengths from the continuous tubularfabric. s

It will be observed from fication that the present invention provides a5 method of and apparatus for producing tubular fabric of crossingstrands of textile material The feed-wheels 89 in the head 3 act tofeed.

the coils of the strip T therefrom and to the feedwheels 89 in the head4 and since both these sets of feed-wheels are driven at the same rateof speed they will maintain the same number of coils in the spacetherebetween. As the coils of the strip T are initially contracted alongthe mandrel 2 in the head 3 they will continue to be contracted betweenthe heads 3 and 4 toundulate the warp strands S therebetween asillustrated in Fig. 12. During the advancement of the coils of thefilling strip T along the mandrel 2 between the heads 3 and 4 they willpass through the drying oven 58 which accelerates the extraction ofmoisture from the plastic to cause it to cure and partially bend thefilling strip T to the warp strands S.

The feed-Wheels 88 of the heads 4 and 5 are rotated at the same rate ofspeed to maintain the coils of the strip'T in the extended relationshipin which they are discharged from the head 4, as indicated in Fig. 12.During theadva'nce of the coils of the strip T along the mandrel 2between the heads 4 and 5 they will pass through warp strands, cure andset the plastic to produce.

a tubular fabric and sever predetermined lengths thejdrying oven 59 tofurther accelerate the exstrip T and that portion which migrates to thewarp strands S will positively bond the strands to the strip at theintersections to produce a self-supporting tubular fabric.

During the feeding of the tubular fabric'along the mandrel 2 thecarriage 203 mounting the cutter 200 is' actuated intermittently tosever predetermined lengths of the fabricfor use as coptubes or forother purposes. The carriage 203 is operatedby the drive-shaft l4driving through the bevel gears 222 and 223, shaft 224, worm 225 andwheel 226 to rotate the shaft 200 at a slow rate of speed. The cam 2H5on the shaft 200 engaging the follower 2M on the lever 2H efiectsoscillation of the latter to reciprocate the carriage 203 on the table209. During each forward sliding movement of the carriage 203 the cutter200 while rotated at high speed by the motor 204 will contact thetubular fabric at the end of the mandrel 2 to sever predeterminedlengths therefrom. Dueto the sharp angle of the cam hydraulictransmissions, may be substituted for bonded together at theirintersections. t also will be observed that the invention provides forbonding the crossing strands at their intersections by impregnating oneof the strands with a liquid plasticand treating the plastic to cause itto cement. the crossing strands together. It

further will be observed that'the invention provides for feeding thetubular fabric along a supporting mandrel and controlling the coils ofat least one of the crossing strands to maintain a predetermined pitchbetween adjacent coils. It still further will be observed that theinvention providesfor continuously producing tubular fabric in anapparatus which operates automatically to feed warpstrands'longitudinally of a central support or mandrel, wind or wrap afilling strip impregnated with a plastic about the from the finishedfabric. While the preferred method and a preferred .form of apparatusare illustrated and described herein it is to be understood thatmodifications may be made in the steps of the method and in theconstruction of the apparatus without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention.

For example, other forms of variable speed drives for rotating thering-gear, such as variable speed the change-speed gearing illustratedand described. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, Iclaim:

1. The method of making a porous tubular article of manufacturewhichcomprises supporting a plurality of strands of textile material inthe form of a cylinder and extending longitudinally thereof, winding astrip of textile material helically around the cylinder of: textilematerial with the coils spaced apart ther'ealong, while impregnating thestrip of-textile material with .a plastic to cause it to migrate to thecylinder of textile material. to bond the strip thereto.

2. The method of making a porous tubular article of manufacture whichcomprises arrangan and dwell 2 l8 the ear the foregoing speci- 17sections of the strip therewith to lend the strip to the strands.

3. The method of making a porous core or tube for supporting a textilepackage which comprises arranging a series of strands of textilematerial in spaced relationship about a common axis and extendinglongitudinally thereof, impregnating a strip of textile material with aliquid plastic,

and winding the impregnated strip helically around the strands, withthe. coils spaced at a distance apart said plastic of the impregnatedstrip migrating to the [strands at their intersections, and treating theplastic to cause it to bond the strip to the strands at their intersections while renderingthe strip relatively stifl yet grate to the strandsat the intersections of the strip therewith, treating the impregnatedstrip to cause it to bond the strip and'strands at their intersectionsand render the strip relatively stiff yet resilient, and cutting lengthsfrom the continuous' tubular fabric to produce the finished articles.

5. The method of making porous cores or tubes for supporting textilepackages which comprises arranging a, series of strands of textilematerial in spaced relationship about a common axis extendinglongitudinally thereof, impregnating a strip of textile material with aplastic, continuously winding the impregnated strip around the spacedstrands with the coils spaced at a distance apart to cause the plasticto migrate from the strip to the strands at the intersections,continuously advancing the wound coils of the strip and the strands tocause the strip to be, wound helically around the strands, treating theplastic to cause the strip to be bonded to the strands and to render thestrip relatively stiff yet resilient, and cutting oif lengths from thecontinuous tubular fabric to produce the finished articles.

6. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel heldagainst axial displacement, means for feeding textile material along themandrel surrounding its periphery incontact therewith and extendinglongitudinally thereof in spaced-apart relationship, means for winding astrip of textile material around the material surrounding the mandrelwith the helical coils spaced at a distance apart, and means forapplying an adhesive to the strip to bond it to the textile materialaround which it is wound.

'7. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel heldagainst axial movement, means for feeding textile material along themandrel surrounding its periphery in contact therewith and extendinglongitudinally thereof in spaced-apart relationship, means for winding astrip of textile material around the material on the mandrel with thehelical coils spaced at a distance apart, means for impregnating thestrip with a plastic, and means for treating the plastic to cause it tobond the strip to the material around which it is wound. I I

8. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel mountedto rotate without 18 I axial displacement, meansfor rotating themandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands of fibrous materialsurrounding the mandrel in spaced apart relationship extendinglongitudinal- I 1y thereof for rotation therewith, means for feeding astrip of fibrous material to the mandrel to cause it to be. wound aroundthe plurality of strands with the helical coils spaced at a distanceapart, means for advancing the strands and strip lengthwise of themandrel, and means for applying an adhesive'to the strip to bondthecrossing strands and strip together at their intersections.

9. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel mountedto rotate without axial displacement, means for rotating the mandrel,means for feeding a plurality of strands of textile material to themandrel in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinallythereofforcause the strip to be bonded to the strands at their intersections.

10. In an apparatus of the typeindicated, a cylindrical mandrel, meansfor feeding a plurality of strands of textile material longitudinally ofthe mandrel, means for guiding the strands along the mandrel to maintainthem in spaced apart relationship, means for rotating the mandrel andstrands, means for feeding a, strip of fibrous material to the rotatingmandrel to cause it to be wound around the plurality of strands with thehelical coils spaced at a distance apart, means for advancing thestrands and strip longitudinally of the mandrel, means for impregnat ingthe strip with a plastice to cause it to migrate to the plurality ofstrands, at the intersections, and means for heat treating the plasticto bond the strands together at the intersections to pro-' the strandsand strip longitudinally of the mandrel, meansfor impregnating the stripwith a plastic to cause it'to migrate to the plurality of strands attheir intersections with the strip, and

the rotating mandrel to cause it to be wound helically around theplurality of longitudinallyextending parallel strands with the coilsspaced 12. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a s

' 19 at a distance apart, means for advancing the strands and striplongitudinally of the mandrel, means for impregnating the strip with aplastic to cause itto migrate to the plurality of strands at theirintersections with the strip, and means for heat treating-the plastic tobond the strip to the strands at the intersections and render the striprelatively stiff to produce a self-supporting porous tubular fabric onthe mandrel.

13. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a

plastic to cause it to migrate to the warp strands at theirintersections with the strip, and means for heat treating the plastic tobond the warp strands and filling strip together at the intersectionsand render the filling strip relatively stiff whereby to produce aself-supporting porous tubular fabric on the mandrel. p

14. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel, meansfor rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of warp strandsof textile material to the mandrel for rotation therewith, means forguiding the strands in spaced relationship around the periphery of themandrel extending longitudinally thereof, means for feeding a fillingstrip of textile material to cause it to wind around the warp strands inhelical coils spaced at a distance apart, means for advancing the stripand strands longitudinally 'of the mandrel, means for impregnating th'efilling strip with a plastic to cause it to migrate to the warp strandsat their intersections with the strip, and means for treating theplastic to bond the warp strands to the filling'strip at theintersections and render the strip relatively stifi whereby to produce aself-supporting porous tubular fabric on the mandrel.

. 15. In an apparatusof the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel,-means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strandsof fibrous material in spaced apart relationship extendinglongitudinally and distributed circumferentially of the mandrel, meansfor feeding a strip of fibrous materialto the mandrel to cause it to bewound helically around the strands with the coils spaced at a distanceapart as the mandrel rotates, means for applying an adhesive to bond thestrands to the strip at their intersections therewith, and meansengaging between the spaced coils of the strip and continuouslyadvancing them at a constant rate relative to the rotation of themandrel whereby to cause the strip to be disposed in a helix ofpredetermined pitch between coils.

16. In anapparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel, meansfor rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a, plurality of strands 1 oftextile material in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinallyand distributed circumferentially of the mandrel, means for feeding astrip of textile material to the mandrel to cause it to be wound aroundthe strands by the rotation of the mandrel with the coils spaced at adistance apart, means for applying an adhesive to bond the strands tothe strip at their intersections therewith to produce a porous fabric,and

20 rotary feed-wheels formed with projections adjacent the periphery ofthe mandrel for engaging the coils of the strip to advance the fabricalong the mandrel and dispose the strip in a helix with a predeterminedpitch between coils.

17. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a cylindrical mandrel, meansfor rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a plurality of strands oftextile material in spaced apart relationship extending longitudinallyand distributed circumferentially of th mandrel, means for feeding astrip of textile material to the mandrel to cause it to be wound aroundthe strands by the rotation of the mandrel with the coils spaced at adistance apart, means for applying an adhesive to bond the strands tothe strip at their intersections therewith to produce a porous fabric,and a plurality of rotary toothed wheels arranged in spaced relationshiparound the periphery of the mandrel for engaging the coils of the stripas they are wound on the mandrel to advance the fabric therealong.

18. In an apparatus ofthe type indicated, a mandrel, means for feeding aplurality of strands of textile material in spaced apart relationshipextending longitudinally and distributed circumferentially of themandrel to cause them to cross thereon, at least one of said strandsbeing wound I helically on the mandrel with the coils spaced at adistance apart, means for applying'an adhesive to bond the crossingstrands at their intersections to produce a porous fabric, and separatemeans rotatable for engaging the wound coils of one of the strands atpoints spaced longitudinally of the mandrel to shift the coils thereonto regulate their spacing therealong.

19. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a

cylindrical mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding aplurality of strands of textile material in spaced apart relationshipextending longitudinally and distributed circumferentially of themandrel, means for feeding a a strip of textile material to the mandrelto cause it to be wound around the strands by the rotation of themandrel with the coils spaced at a distance apart, means for app ying anadhesive to bond the strands totheir strip at the intersectionstherewith to produce a porous fabric, and a plurality of sets offeed-wheels spaced longitudinally of the mandrel for engaging the coilsto control their spacing therealong.

20. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a mandrel, means for rotatingthe mandrel, means for feeding flexible textile material in spaced apartrelationship extending longitudinally and distributed circumferentiallyof the mandrel for rotation therewith, means at the side of themandrelfor feeding a strip of fibrous material thereto for feeding flexibletextile material surrounding the mandrel and extending longitudinallythereof for rotation therewith, means at the side of the mandrel forfeeding a strip of fibrous material thereto to cause it to be woundaround the textile material in helical coils spaced at a distance apartto produce a porous fabric, means '21 for impregnating the strip with aplastic, means for advancing the fabric along the mandrel, and dryingovens enclosing the mandrel for accelerating the setting of the plasticas the fabric is advanced along the mandrel.

22. In an apparatus ofthe type indicated, a mandrel, means for rotatingthe mandrel, means 'for feeding strands of flexible textile materialsetting of the plastic'and render the strip relatively stifl while thecoils are maintained in predetermined relationship by the toothedwheels.

23. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a

mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means 'for feeding flexibletextile material along the mandrel for rotation therewith, means at theside of-the mandrel for feeding a strip of fibrous material thereto tocause it to be'wound around the textile material :by the rotation of themandrel 22 with the helical coils spaced at a distance apart,

' means for impregnating the strip with a plastic,

a plurality of sets of toothed feed-wheels adjacent the mandrel engagingbetween the coils of the strip as they are wound around the mandrel tocontrol the pitch of the winding, and a plurality of drying ovensenclosing the mandrel between the sets of feed-wheels.

A. GOLDMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 2,093,206 Muller Sept. 14, 19371,990,248 Parker Feb. 5, 1935 2,087,303 Rosch et al July'20, 1937459,536 Simon Sept. 15, 1891 940,779 Bayne et al. Nov. 23, 19091,838,819 Flaws Dec. 29, 1931 1,585,905 Madden et a1 May 25, 19261,970,599 Franke Aug. 21, 1934 1,976,522 Rose Oct. 9, 1934 2,336,086Goldman Dec, 7, 1943 1,149,224 Sill Aug. 10, 1915 2,308,825 RawlingsJan. 19, 1943

